FIELDS OF FOLLY AT LOCKHART?

Tuesday's Broward County commission meeting presented a challenge to the ideals of participatory democracy for most anyone with an obligation to work, family or, in this case, sleep.

The day's agenda included a vote on the Baltimore Orioles' request for county money to modernize their spring training baseball stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Sometime past midnight, the commission finally agreed to allocate $800,000 annually for 30 years to help pay for a $38 million makeover of the site. The makeover includes the demolition of Lockhart Stadium as early as 2008.

Orioles officials, including Executive Vice President John Angelos, were present, as was local soccer promoter Eddie Rodger. Rodger came prepared at 10 a.m. to speak on behalf of keeping Lockhart as part of the Orioles' proposed Community Sports and Recreation Complex. But when the agenda item was pushed back indefinitely, he decided to return to the Las Palmas hotel in Sunrise, where he runs a soccer training center.

Before Rodger left, however, he and Angelos had occasion to meet -- and talk. To Angelos' credit, he listened to Rodger's vision of how Lockhart could benefit the Orioles, though it's too early to say whether any progress was made toward saving the 20,000-seat stadium.

Angelos told Rodger the same thing he's told city and county officials. The improved baseball stadium will be available for international soccer and high school football games when the Orioles finish spring training. Unlike elected officials who haven't bothered to debate the well-intended but misguided notion, Rodger argued that playing an international match -- or any soccer match, for that matter -- in a baseball park doesn't work.

In fact, soccer in this country is long past setting up goal mouths in baseball stadiums. Football stadiums maybe, where the seats at least conform to the playing field, but not baseball, where the best sight lines are around home plate and behind the dugouts. In a 9,000-seat minor league stadium, which is what a renovated Fort Lauderdale Stadium would be, many fans would have a clear view of the corner flag, but not much else.

Honduras will play Guatemala at Lockhart next Saturday. Based on early response, Rodger expects the crowd to exceed 10,000. Angelos said Monday that the Orioles are open to tweaking the design of their stadium to accommodate soccer and football. He also suggested placing portable bleachers in the outfield if need be.

The solution is actually much simpler than that. The Orioles' proposal shows four baseball practice fields where Lockhart now stands. In a drawing rendered by the international design firm HOK, the team has placed soccer practice fields on undeveloped land next to Commercial Boulevard. The city of Fort Lauderdale owns the grassy parcel and according to a city public information officer, the Orioles can use the property for their complex.

But with no youth league affiliate, not to mention no bleachers, restrooms or concession stands, it's unclear who the Orioles think might use those fields. We have plenty of soccer fields in Broward County, but we only have one stadium.

The question for the Orioles and elected officials is this: Why can't the Orioles redraw their site plan and leave Lockhart standing next to the baseball stadium, with the four minor league baseball practice fields replacing the soccer fields?

Angelos skirted the question, but if the Orioles really mean to be part of this community, they should work toward a solution that keeps baseball and soccer on land big enough to hold both.

G'day, Romario

Brazilian striker Romario will take his quest for 1,000 career goals to Australia, where he has signed a four-game contract with A-League club Adelaide United. Romario scored 19 goals in 24 games for Miami FC and will remain with the United Soccer League club for games against Adelaide on Oct. 17 and South Australia on Oct. 19. He'll debut for Adelaide on Nov. 25. He's credited with 983 career goals, a total that includes league and international matches and club friendlies. ...

Boca Raton teenager Josmer "Jozy" Altidore has emerged as Major League Soccer's latest hot prospect after scoring two goals off the bench in consecutive games for the New York Red Bulls. Altidore, 16, finished a 30-yard strike in a 1-0 win over Columbus two weeks ago. He was more subtle in a slotting home an Amado Guevera through-ball in last weekend's 4-3 defeat at D.C. United.